M.S. School Counseling

After completing this program, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the psychosocial foundations of human development, learning, and behavior
• Model various theoretical and practical approaches to counseling and develop a personal theory of counseling
• Apply basic counseling and facilitative communication skills in individual and small group settings.
• Apply topic-focused and developmentally appropriate classroom and group guidance skills to enhance PK-12 students’ academic, personal/social, and career development.
• Apply psycho-educational theory and concepts in relation to individual assessment of aptitude, interest, and achievement
• Apply knowledge of career development theory and practice to facilitate the development of PK-16 student career and transition skills.
• Conduct basic educational research and evaluation. Utilize student and institutional data to improve programs and recommend change.
• Develop, organize, administer, and evaluate a comprehensive PK-12 school counseling program that supports academic, personal/social, and career development. Differentiate and implement the unique aspects of the elementary and secondary school counseling programming.
• Understand, respond to, and advocate for the guidance needs of diverse students populations.
• Communicate and collaborate with school-age students, their families, school staff, and community agency representatives to promote a safe, healthy, and effective learning environment
• Model legal and ethical standards of school counseling practice in accordance with state and federal law and the standards of the American School Counselor Association and the American Counseling Association.

Alumni of our Master's degree program in School Counseling from UW-Stout have gone on to practice in schools and communities across the nation. Many of our graduates work in the Wisconsin-Minnesota region. 

Please note that the UW-Stout program is designed to meet requirements specific to licensure in the State of Wisconsin. Students who desire to work in states other than Wisconsin following degree completion will need to contact that state's board or licensing agency regarding school counseling credentialing requirements. Students are also encouraged to connect with their program director to better understand licensing requirements for their state of choice. See the following website for additional information.  

UW-Stout's School Counseling program has a strong state and national reputation. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook employment rates are high. Graduates' ability to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge to develop their own counseling style, have confidence in the use of counseling, assessing, evaluating, and consulting skills, and understand the ethical and professional responsibilities of being a counselor lead to successful job placement.

Geographical location of job openings will vary. Graduates of the School Counseling program work throughout the United States.

Examples of recent position announcements include:

• School to Career Coordinator at an urban high school
• Middle School Counselor at a suburban school
• Counselor for career education and career counseling and crisis counseling
• Elementary School Counselor in a rural school district
• Career Counselor at a Technical College Career Development Center

Advisory Committee Members